Portsmouth Regional Hospital Hospital

I received excellent care. Bariatric patients receive private rooms on the surgical ward & have a staff that is trained for their particular needs. Hopefully there will be a bariatric unit some day. The staff was wonderful & attentive. No one babied me - made me get up & walk right away which is what you need to do. Physical therapy was right there & you don't go home until you do it right. I had complications the first night - my nurses were with me immediately and in touch with my surgeon right away. They must have upped the pain juice dramatically because I can't remember alot of what happened that night until I woke up from second surgery (I don't know how I blanked out the CT scan, tests, etc.) later the second day. Obviously I was monitored closely and my surgeon decided to go in & look rather than wait & see. I would highly recommend PRH to anyone & am glad they are associated with my insurer for any future needs I may have.

I was very impressed with Dr. Gens and the Atlantic Surgical Associates. Fortunately, Dr. Gens had performed a gallbladder removal on me a few years ago so I was already comfortable with him. When researching options for WLS, my PCP advised me that Dr. Gens had spent the past few years researching the WLS and was planning on opening a bariatric practice on the seacoast. I was very fortunate in getting in on the ground floor of the practice & I believe I was surgery #3 or 4. I wasn't nervous because this was a "new" practice. Dr. Gens already had a reputation as the best larascopic surgeon on the seacoast & he had spent much time researching the surgery and had "interned" & performed this surgery at other WLS centers before bringing it to us at the seacoast. What really mattered to me was that Dr. Gens & his associates spent alot of time looking into the issue of obesity - I was told that at first he did not necessarily think WLS was an answer for obesity but with the time he spent on researching the issue, he became more convinced that WLS was a viable solution for this issue. His practice spent several years researching & traveling to other WLS centers to determine what really worked best & to help them bring the best practices back to use in setting up their own program. I can appreciate a practice that takes that kind of time & commitment to what they are doing before implementing their program.

The program at Atlantic Surgical Associates is a multi faceted program consisting of mandatory support group meetings (pre-op), classes with a pschologist, meetings with a nuitritionist & meetings with a physical therapist. There is a large, active support group for post ops that everyone is encouraged to attend & there is a structured monthly meeting for pre & post ops that has a featured speaker that addresses any number of subjects related to WLS. Patients are closely monitored for the first year, then taper off to a yearly exam; you don't "graduate" from the program until you are five years out.

The Portsmouth Regional Hopsital was great. The staff that cared for me were attentive and very helpful. My nurses were wonderful; they didn't baby me or pamper me (the sooner you move, the better). Physical therapy was right there and you weren't released until you could show that you could meet basic daily needs (walk, climb stairs, shower, etc.). My pain issues were well addressed & when I developed complications the first night, the staff was immediately there for me. I required a second operation but at all times I felt everyone was concerned about my status and I strongly felt I was well cared for.

I believe there was at least one patient who didn't feel as positive about Dr. Gens; felt she didn't get the personalized care or attention she needed but that wasn't my experience or impression. I have no problems with Dr. Gen's manner; he is factual & keeps you informed on what's going on. Not a warm and fuzzy hand holding kind of person but realistically I don't expect that kind of thing from my surgeon & don't need it. What I look for is someone who is highly competent, thoroughly informed, honest & upfront & who shares information with you; someone who understands that I have a right to know everything I need to know before making a decision that affects me; after all, this is my life and my body we're discussing. Dr. Gens does all of that. Even when I was experiencing extreme nausea for months after surgery & required several hospitalizations, Dr. Gens was honest; they didn't know why I was so sick but I got alot of follow up care & tests and eventually it all worked out.

Dr. Gens & the Atlantic Surgical program strongly endorses the support group meetings & attend the mixed group one themselves every month. I've seen all three doctors associated with Atlantic Surgical in relation to my WLS and would highly recommend any of them. I strongly feel that all of the surgeons are totally commited to each and every patient and I believe they have worked very hard to educate patients on all aspects of the surgery, the risks involved, expectations, etc. I'm impressed with the follow up programs & from what I've seen, the vast majority (if not all) of Atlantic Surgical WLS patients are VERY successful. We're all very supportive of each other & we're open and honest in our post op group meetings. Our goal is to help each and every person out there in any way we can.

Overall, I would obviously strongly recommend Dr. Gens personally, and the Atlantic Surgical Associates to anyone looking into this surgery. I recommend anyone researching this to attend the open seminar they hold periodically (generally advertised locally & on their website I believe) as well as attend as many support group meetings as they can. This is a great group of people & we all want to help those looking into this surgery.

For anyone interested, my statistics are: 16 months post op. Previously weighed 285 pounds at 5'2"; weighed 165 at surgery and now weigh 135. Went from a size 24/26 to a size 8. I feel better than I have in years. No acid reflux; no sleep apnea; asthma dramatically reduced (only one incident in the past 16 months when I was cleaning & raising up alot of dust); cholesterol down from 200+ to about 150. I exercise moderately & more importantly, eat moderately. Am in control of my eating for the first time in decades without the use of drugs or diet aids. Would recommend this surgery to anyone who is truly obese and would do it again in a hearbeat.

The staff was almost without exception wonderful. The physical plant leaves a lot to be desired. Bathroom was inadequate and room was too noisy for sleep. Lots of "stuff" in the hallways made me feel I was in the way when I tried to do my recommended walking.

My first impression of Dr. Gens is that he is very knowledgable and excited about being apart of the Bariatric program. His office staff is very pleasant and easy to talk to. The only negative I have, which is very minor, is he did talk alot before giving me the opportunity to ask questions. Dr. Gens is very passionate about the importance of aftercare. The progam requires you to stay connected for 5 years (unless geographically impossible). The hospital has a very structured aftercare program and believes the aftercare is the reason for surgery success. Dr. Gens is very open and honest regarding the risks involved with WLS. Overall, I loved Dr. Gens. I left the consult feeling very confident and comfortable with him.

With all of that said, let me also say to all those who chooses Dr. Gens, he VERY strict about his weight loss requirement. I was 2 days away from surgery and he made me reschedule because I was 4 pounds away from my goal.

Very honest and up front. Answered all of my questions. I am feeling very confident and comfortable with him.

sincere and caring

Appeared stressed out from covering partners time off
The receptionist couldn't be bothered to give you the time of day
Demanding and high strung

Preformed surgery on me even though I had not quit smoking and he was aware of this
Significantly

Visits to doc and support groups

Clearly stated the risk of death, unclear on combo's of med after surgery
possible 5 out of 10

Both are great but he provided NO bedside manner. This has been addressed both to him and his staff and the hospital's Director of Surgery -- this was my personal experience and does not reflect all patients

I feel this hospital ranks a 9/10 out of a score of 10. I would recommend all my Bariatric friends to this hospital and my entire family as well! Parking can be an issue since it is a large hospital, but they have a free valet parking system.

In the 11 days and two operations I had at this hospital I was extremely well taken care of. The staff made every effort to make me comfortable, keep me informed of why different process and procedures were being performed. Lastly I appreciated the staff’s diligence in self checking many of their process and procedures.

A patient must remember that they are their biggest health care advocate. The patient must be willing to be a part of their surgery and recover. Ask questions and get involved in your care. I was very inquisitive during the entire process and was pleased to see each and every caregiver answer my questions with ease and honesty. I truly believe that the patient sets the tone for the care they are given...if you have a positive attitude that is what you will receive back from others around you.

I work in a medical facility and I was extreamly upset by the lack of "care" by this nursing staff. Despite that I truly like my surgical team and my other medical MD's I will not be admitted there again, and have contacted another surgeon for continued follow up and surgery for a post-op complication.